Magazines

Subscribe to our print & digital magazines now

Subscribe

How to Avoid Tractor Tyres Compaction in Different Types of Soil Conditions?

Multiple factors, such as the weight of your farming equipment, which damages your soil's biodiversity or its structure, contribute to soil compaction. Your farm tyres' pressure frequently depends on the type of work being done and the surrounding weather.

Updated on: 16 February, 2023 9:46 AM IST By: Aarushi Chadha
Different soils have different propensities for compaction.

Here are three easily recognised soil structures that can help you foresee the effect of your tractor tyres on your land, allowing you to choose the ideal time to work on your fields.

To fully understand, you must be aware that a soil's ability to support the loads that the tractor wheels transfer while working is referred to as its load-bearing capacity. A soil's texture, structure, and moisture ratio all influence how much weight it can support. Always work on well-drained soil to prevent excessive compaction, which will harm the soil's structure and vitality.

Different soils have different propensities for compaction. To guarantee that your job is efficient and that your soil is protected, you can manually determine three different soil conditions.

Hard and Compact Soil

The earth has been mechanically damaged by farm machinery if it is as solid as a rock and you are unable to separate the lumps.

Without prior deep-down aeration, very challenging. Your instruments could be damaged by particularly hard dirt, and each passage will need a lot of tractive power. All forms of farm equipment can be used to move about; the soil will not be affected by the tyre pressure because it has already been mechanically compacted.

Light and Crumbly Soil

If the soil is light and soft, it will crumble when you press on it with your fingers, allowing for tilling. The soil lumps separate very ease, creating the perfect conditions for tillage.

Soil compaction will happen quickly as a result of the usage of large machinery, inappropriate tyres, or excessive tyre pressure. To minimize compacting the soil, it is ideal to use low-pressure VF tyres at 0.8 bars, which will spread the load over a larger ground surface.

Wet and Sticky Soil

The ground is moist, slick, and extremely soft. The likelihood of compaction increases with increasing soil moisture. The earth will be delicate and extremely pressure-sensitive if there is little drainage.

Under the weight of the machinery, the soil will deform, and regardless of the tyres you select, your machine's power will not be transformed into working power. Additionally, excessive spinning will harm your field and be expensive in fuel.

No matter what materials are employed, the earth will be deeply compacted. A soil that is too damp for tillage results in excessive spinning and slippage. This will deep-compact the soil and strengthen the hardpan.

An overloaded axle or excessive tyre pressure on this type of unsuitable soil will cause deep-seated soil compaction that will result in ruts and, over time, impede the growth of your crops.

Test Your Knowledge on International Day for Biosphere Reserves Quiz. Take a quiz